Influential speakers added to Lancashire Built Environment Conference line-up

Transport for the North’s strategy director Katie Day and Lancashire County Council’s director of growth and regeneration Simon Lawrence have joined the roll call of contributors to next month’s Lancashire Built Environment Conference.

Taking place at Winter Gardens Blackpool on the morning of Wednesday 25 September, the annual event returns to give an overview of the sector and its developments, as well as a deep-dive into the topics that matter to the county’s businesses and residents.

Attendees will get the latest updates on the big projects taking shape in the county, hear about the opportunities and challenges from experts in the sector, learn about supply chain opportunities and meet and network with the speakers, sponsors and attendees.

This year’s event will also focus on big ticket projects including Eden Project Morecambe, Silicon Sands Blackpool, Station Gateway Preston, Blackburn’s masterplan and more.

There will also be discussion of what the change in government may mean for the built environment sector, as well as revisiting Lancashire’s long-term strategic plan for the future: Lancashire 2050.

Stephen Bolton, managing director of Lancashire Business View which organises the annual conference, said: “The Lancashire Built Environment Conference has become the must-attend event for anyone working in the sector in this county.

“We have compiled a fantastic roster of contributors who will share their invaluable experience and expertise. We’ve got speakers representing both the private and public sector, and in Katie Day and Simon Lawrence we have two of the most influential figures in Lancashire and we can’t wait to have them join the debate.”

The full line-up of speakers confirmed so far:

Katie Day

Katie has over 20 years’ experience working in public bodies and central government, including the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as head of operations for the Regional Growth Fund and, previously at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) leading internal communication and working on strategic policy.

She joined Transport for the North in February 2023 from the Office for Nuclear Regulation, where she was the director of policy and communications.

Simon Lawrence

Simon has held responsibility for driving growth and regeneration across the county since joining Lancashire County Council in early 2023. Prior to that he was head of the growth unit and major programmes for Leicestershire County Council which included overseeing highways, schools, broadband and other key services.

Also speaking at the conference:

• John Chesworth, Harrison Drury Solicitors
• Linda Dean, Blackpool and Fylde College
• Nick Gerrard, Blackpool Council
• Courtney Prestage, Connections2energy
• Rose Rouse, Pendle Council
• John Winstanley, Story Homes

The conference has also launched three new awards to be handed out on the day. Nominations are now open for property personality of the year, rising star of the year and property project of the year. Entries and details of why they deserve to win should be sent to [email protected]

The headline sponsors are Blackpool & The Fylde College, Blackpool Makes it Work, Connections2energy and Harrison Drury Solicitors. Exhibitors will include Fairhaven Housing, Chamber Low Carbon/REDCAT, Site Surveying Services, Story Homes and Viridium. Smith & Love Planning is also supporting the event.

Tickets are £50+VAT and include light breakfast, refreshments and lunch with full access to the event including exhibition, networking and conference can be purchased HERE

The event will be reviewed in full in Lancashire Business View’s Property Report in our November-December edition and shared with our 50,000 readers in print and online.